Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology. Section A. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Vol.347, 483-492, 2000
X-ray characterization of two cubic phases and a structured liquid phase of 4'-n-alkoxy-3'-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acids (ANBC-n)
The cubic D (CubD) and structured liquid (I-1) phases of 4'-n-alkoxy-3'-nitrobiphenyl-4-carboxylic acids (ANBC-n, where n is the number of carbons in the alkoxy group) have been investigated by X-ray diffraction techniques. The type of the CubD phase was identified as Ia3d for the homologues with n=15, 19, 20, 22, and 26, similarly to those of n=16 and 18. On the basis of the model proposed by Luzzati and Spegt, the diameter (D/Angstrom) and the length (L/Angstrom) of the constituent rod are estimated and discussed. The structure of the I1 phase and its dependence on n are also discussed. For n=26, very surprisingly, another cubic phase with Im3m symmetry was observed at the lower temperature side of the Ia3d cubic phase on heating.